Steven Ellis is in good company as he works towards a BA in fine arts at Leeds College of Art. The roll of alumni at the West Yorkshire academy include Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth and Damien Hirst.

But it is doubtful if any of these illustrious artists have had to overcome the obstacles placed in the path of the 37-year-old Ellis, a Leeds man. His remarkable story is one of a life changed by art; and now he is dedicated to changing the lives of others facing the barriers he has surmounted.

In 2008, Ellis was sentenced to four years in jail for burglary. He was no stranger to imprisonment, having served several sentences for crimes committed to service his heroin addiction. But this one was to be different.Ellis always had a knack for drawing, though he says it was just doodling with a pencil now and then. After moving to Everthorpe jail, a category C prison, Ellis enrolled on an art class.

Chalk on paper, A3. (Steven Ellis)

He describes what happened next as a "catalyst, something which turned my life around completely". He says his tutors were "inspirational people, who never judged me, only looked at the work I was producing". He vowed to abstain from drugs and began the road to recovery.

Released to a bail hostel in 2010, Ellis embarked on a two-year course at Leeds College of Art. A year later, working as a volunteer with the charity Disc (Developing Initiatives Supporting Communities) he set up a weekly arts group for people recovering from substance abuse. The group includes former prisoners and Ellis describes the venture as "keeping the pathway open for others to tread". Disc runs the programme in conjunction with the West Yorkshire Probation Trust.

Ellis's work goes beyond the art classes, which often run over the scheduled finishing time. He has formulated six-week lesson plans for the students, as well as raising funds and promoting other services.

Last month, Ellis received recognition for his work when he traveled to Buckingham Palace to receive the Butler Trust award from Princess Anne. He said winning the award was "brilliant" and rubber stamps what the project is achieving, in making people aware that everyone needs help to change.

He says he had to "buy myself a suit, because I couldn't turn up at the palace in jeans and trainers".

Ellis says his prison experience convinced him that art is the"'best vehicle to recovery" he has seen in prisons. Jails are often violent places, but there was never any trouble in the art classes he attended. "On the wings, you would see three or four fights a day, but the art sessions were self-policing and always peaceful," said Ellis. "That in itself was an achievement."

Mark Weeding is chief executive of Disc. He says Steven is a fantastic example of an individual who has managed to achieve their potential."We're really pleased that his achievements have been recognised by the Butler Trust. Steven has been very proactive in the development of the recovery art group and making it a success," he said.

Sue Hall, chief executive of the West Yorkshire Probation Trust, said "The extraordinarily high level of commitment and dedication shown by Steve has, and will continue to, inspire offenders."

Ellis feels his life has been 'given back' to him. "Nothing's ever going to compare with that. I wake up in the morning and the day's mine.I'm just trying to give that back to other people."